A/N: Thank you so much to those of you who are following and reviewing and have put this on their alert list. I know I keep apologizing for the delays but I had some writers block on this chapter. I think the next few will be easier as they will start to skip forward a bit. Writing Sheldon as a teenager is harder than I thought it would be and him being aware of feelings this early is also difficult. I know many of you don't see this pairing but they are young and innocent and they will stay innocent. They are only 13 and 14. I think that is a little young for hanky panky. But they will have a nice relationship. Okay that being said, enjoy this next chapter.
I don't own the characters you recognize but I do own Michael and Julia.
The sooner he was asleep the sooner the next day would come and he could get the answer he was hoping to hear.
Sunday morning came and Sheldon was up at his regular time of 6:15. He got his traditional bowl of cereal and sat down in front of the television to watch old episodes of Doctor Who. He did this every Saturday but during the summer PBS had episodes on Sunday as well so he got to watch it twice. Just as Sheldon had settled down to start the show, his mother came down from her room. She usually did not wake up until 7:30 so Sheldon was confused this particular morning.
"Good morning mom." Sheldon said.
"Good morning Shelly. Did you sleep well last night?" Mary Cooper asked her son.
"I did. Why are you up so early this morning?" Sheldon asked her.
"I couldn't sleep. You do know what day today is right?" Mary asked him.
"It's Sunday." Sheldon answered her.
"I mean the date Shelly." She told him.
Sheldon thought about it then realization hit him. "Oh." He said to her. "July 14, daddy's birthday."
"He would have been 42 today." Mary said. "I was thinking after church today we should visit his grave."
"Okay." Sheldon agreed. He may not have approved of things his father did while married to his mother but he wouldn't disappoint her. She needed to go to his grave even though all that was left in the grave was a body. His mother thought differently and he would not argue with her this day.
"Would you like me to make you some breakfast?" She asked him.
"No I have my cereal." Sheldon answered.
"Okay I will let you get to your program then." She said to him.
"I don't have to watch if you want to talk." Sheldon said.
"I'm okay. You enjoy Doctor Who." Mary told him.
"Okay." Sheldon said and sat back down to turn the television.
Missy and George came down around 8:00 just as the episode was ending. It was a good thing it had ended because George grabbed the remote and flipped the channel to EPSN.
"I was watching that you know." Sheldon said to him.
"Your show is over and you know it. I saw the credits rolling. I want to see if the Astros won last night." George told him.
"Didn't you watch the game?" Sheldon asked.
"They were winning when I went to bed but they started late so I couldn't stay up to see the end." George answered.
"Oh." Sheldon said and got up to take his bowl to the sink. He knew he had to get ready for church so he figured he could get the shower first since George was occupied and it looked like Missy was helping his mother make breakfast. "I'm going to get ready." He said to his mother and Missy as he put his dish in the sink.
"Don't use all the hot water." Missy yelled as he ascended the stairs.
"I take an eight minute shower, I can't use all the hot water. It is impossible." Sheldon yelled back.
"Whatever!" Missy yelled back.
Sheldon took his shower and got ready for church. He didn't like going to church but his mother had made it clear as long as he lived under her roof he would attend every Sunday. He couldn't wait to move out in January. Well that was if he got the job in Germany and convince his mother to let him go. After, he would move to California and go to Caltech to get his doctorate while working as a researcher. He was sure if he made it to Germany, his mother would not be as objectionable about Caltech. It would be an amazing opportunity, one he knew he couldn't pass up. He was sure his mother would see it his way. His father had been all for it. He had been trying to talk his mother into letting him go when he passed away. Now almost six months later and he found himself having to give his mother the same arguments he had given his father. He could only hope his mother would see it his way.
At 9:30, the family left for church. The service started at 10:00 and it was only a few minutes from their house but Mary liked to get there early and sit close to the front. Sheldon hated being in the front because he could be seen by the pastors. He couldn't get away with playing games like he did when he sat in the back row. As they were walking in, they ran into their new neighbors. Sheldon smiled when he saw Lucy.
"Oh hi." Mary said to them when she saw them. "I am so glad you decided to join us. You are going to love this service." She told them.
"Well we figured you steered us right with the cotillion lessons, it couldn't hurt to try your church as well. And it helps that it is close." Julia said to Mary. "It was hard dragging this one out of bed this morning." She said pointing to Michael.
"I hate getting up before ten." Michael complained.
"Lucy on the other hand is always up at 6:30. There is a television show she likes to watch on PBS on the weekends."
"You watch Doctor Who?" Sheldon asked her, astonished.
"I love it. I was so excited to see it was on Sunday mornings as well here. When we were in El Paso, it was only on Saturday mornings." Lucy told him.
"This is the first time they have done that though. It usually is only on Saturdays in the spring and fall. So who is your favorite Doctor?" Sheldon asked her.
"Without a doubt, Tom Baker." Lucy said.
"Mine too. We should do a marathon someday. I have all the episodes on video."
"Oh that sounds great."
"How about this Friday?" Sheldon asked her. "Then maybe we can go out for dinner."
"Are you asking me out on a date?" Lucy asked him.
"Um, only if you are going to say yes. Otherwise, just come on over and we can watch the shows." Sheldon stuttered.
"I would have to ask my mom. If she says yes then yes I will go out with you." Lucy told him.
"Really?" Sheldon asked surprised.
"Yes, really. I love Doctor Who and so do you. If I come over to watch for a long afternoon why not go out to get something to eat afterwards. Nothing too fancy though. I don't want to get dressed up." She laughed.
"I was thinking McDonald's if that is okay." Sheldon said.
"Sheldon, I didn't think you were going to take me somewhere fancy. You are fourteen, I am thirteen. We aren't adults. I think McDonald's sounds great."
"Oh well then great." Sheldon smiled at her. "Shall we go into church then?"
Church service was the same as always. Hymns were sung, a sermon was preached but Sheldon hadn't been paying much attention. Lucy sat right next to him and he kept stealing glances at her. What he didn't know was she was doing the same thing to him.
After church, Mary drove her children to the cemetery to visit their father's grave. She had picked flowers from her garden to lay next to his tombstone. She said a prayer for his soul and wished him a happy birthday. Sheldon and his siblings stood silently and watched as their mother mourned her husband and their father. They were unsure what to say or do for her. When she finished praying she asked if they wanted to say anything. None of them had anything to say so they left and headed home. Once in the car the discussion turned to Sheldon and Lucy.
"So did you hear, Shelly asked that girl out?" George told Missy.
"He did? She is a little shy so she is perfect for Sheldon." Missy said.
"I think it is sweet." Mary said.
"You guys do know I am sitting right here, correct?" Sheldon pointed out. "I will thank you not to talk about me like I am not here."
"We're sorry Shelly. It is just you have never shown interest in anyone before. You always said you were above having friends. Now you have asked a girl out on a date." Mary said to him.
"I asked her to come over and watch Doctor Who." Sheldon pointed out. "I didn't ask her out."
"Did you or did you not tell her you would take her out to dinner after the marathon?" George asked. He had been standing right next to Sheldon when he overheard the conversation between Lucy and Sheldon.
"I did." Sheldon answered.
"So you asked her out." Missy pointed out to him. "When you ask a girl to go somewhere other than your house, that is out."
"Okay fine, I asked her out. Are you happy? You and George are the ones who encouraged me to do it."
"I know and I am happy you did it. I like Lucy." Missy said.
"Good." Sheldon said.
Friday came quicker than Sheldon had expected. He had been looking forward to his get together with Lucy all week. He even tolerated advice from George even though he knew he wouldn't take any of it.
"Why would I kiss her?" Sheldon asked again when George brought it up right before Lucy arrived.
"It is what is expected after a date. You kiss her goodbye." George told her.
"Are you sure?" Sheldon asked.
"Would I lie to you?" George asked innocently.
"You have in the past so what would be different now?"
"Okay maybe I have over exaggerated the truth from time to time."
"You lied go on…" Sheldon interrupted.
"But honestly you may at some point have to kiss this girl if it goes on for a while. Maybe not on the first date but certainly after a few." George told him.
"But what if I don't want to kiss her?" Sheldon asked.
"Believe me if you like her as much as Missy seems to think you do, you have already thought about it." George said. Sheldon just looked away from him. He had been thinking about the kiss she had given him on the cheek after cotillion the week before. He couldn't help but think what it would have been like if she had kissed him on the lips. He started to blush. "I told you. You are thinking about it now aren't you?" George asked.
"And if I am? How does one go about kissing a girl?" Sheldon asked. He had never thought he would ever have to be asking this question. He was above all this hormonal stuff.
"If you like her and she likes you, it will just happen trust me." George assured him.
"Okay." Sheldon answered. He looked at the clock. Lucy was due to arrive in ten minutes. "Now get out of here. She will be here soon." He told him.
"Good luck!" George said and walked out of the living room and upstairs to his room.
Lucy had been a nervous wreck all week. After her mom assured her it was alright to go over to Sheldon's house to watch television she got very concerned.
"Why are you so nervous?" Michael asked her as she was getting ready on Friday.
"I have never been on a date before. What should I expect?" Lucy asked him.
"Well I am not really sure. It's not like I have been on a lot of dates myself." He said.
"Yeah well more than me." She told him.
"I went to one dance with a girl and then we went to the movies a week later. After that she told me she just wanted to be friends. I don't think that qualifies as dating." Michael told her. "And besides, Missy said Sheldon has never been on a date either, so he is probably just as nervous as you."
"He hasn't?"
"No now Missy, she told me she has been on lots of dates but let's think about some things here. We are only 13, granted we will be 14 soon but I don't think we are supposed to have a lot of experience. And Sheldon is 14 and in college. I don't think he is dating girls that are 4 or 5 years older than he is."
"I just don't know what to do. What if he wants to kiss me?" Lucy asked.
"Do you want to kiss him?" Michael asked.
"I don't know. I get so nervous around him. I don't want to mess up a perfectly good friendship because we tried to date. What if I get scared and run away again?"
"He chased you the first time. I bet he will again." Michael said.
"Oh I don't know, maybe this is a bad idea." Lucy said. "I think I am going to cancel." She said, picking up the phone to call Sheldon.
"No don't do that. Look, Lucy, you don't have to kiss him if you don't want to. Just go over to his house, watch your Doctor Who marathon and have a nice dinner at McDonald's."
"But…" She started but Michael cut her off.
"But nothing. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. Just watch your show. If you don't have a good time, cancel dinner then come home. If you are having a good time, go to dinner with him. There is no pressure." He told her.
"Are you sure?" Lucy asked one last time.
"Positive. Now go and have a good time." Michael said smiling.
"Alright, I will see you later." Lucy said, walking out of the house. She turned right at the end of her driveway and walked the five houses up to Sheldon's place. She arrived about 2 minutes early and knocked on the door.
Sheldon had just finished getting snacks together in the kitchen when he heard Lucy knocking. He looked at the clock. 1:58. Good to know she is punctual. He thought to himself as he walked to the door. Unfortunately for him, Missy beat him to it. He heard Missy talking to Lucy as he came out of the kitchen.
"Sheldon, Lucy is here." Missy yelled just as Sheldon came into view.
"I heard the door." Sheldon said. "I thought you were going out with Jessica." He asked her.
"We are. I am waiting for her and her mother to pick me up. They should be here any moment." As if on cue, Jessica's mother's car pulled into the driveway. "Mom, Jessica is here. I will be back after dinner." She called upstairs.
"Have a good time. Did I hear the door?" Mary called back down.
"Yes, Lucy arrived. See you later." Missy called.
Mary came downstairs shortly after to greet Lucy.
"Hello Lucy, welcome to our home. Did Sheldon offer you a drink?" Mary asked her.
"Mom she literally just got here. I thought you told me you would stay upstairs." Sheldon said a little embarrassed by his mother.
"Okay, okay I am going." Mary said. She slowly walked upstairs so she could listen to their conversation.
"Sorry about that." Sheldon said to her. "Can I get you something to drink? I was getting snacks ready when you arrived."
"Do you have any sweet tea?" Lucy asked.
"Of course, coming right up. You can make yourself comfortable in the living room. That is where we are going to watch the show." He said, heading into the kitchen.
He came out carrying a tray that had chips and pretzels and two tall glasses of sweet tea with a pitcher next to it. He handed Lucy her tea.
"Thanks" She said to him. She had seated herself in the middle of the couch, not knowing where Sheldon liked to sit. He sat down to the right of her and grabbed the remote.
"I thought we could start from season 12 when Tom Baker became the doctor, what do you think?" Sheldon asked her.
"I like that idea." Lucy said.
"Great." Sheldon pushed the play button the remote and sat back on the couch to watch.
The two of them had watched four episodes when Mary came back downstairs.
"Are you two hungry?" Mary said. "I was going to make some dinner."
Sheldon looked at the clock, it was almost 6:00. "Oh I was going to take Lucy to McDonald's for dinner."
"That seems a bit ridiculous, why not stay here. I can make spaghetti with hot dogs." Mary said.
"Really?" Sheldon said excitedly. "Lucy is this okay with you? I know I said I would take you out but my mom's spaghetti is amazing."
"That sounds great." Lucy said. The truth was she was kind of happy about the prospect of a home cooked meal. She felt quite comfortable in this home.
"Okay I will get that started." Mary said. "You guys can watch another episode while you wait."
"Can we watch while we eat too?" Sheldon asked.
"Of course you can." Mary said.
"Great. Come on Lucy." Sheldon said, taking her hand and pulling her back in the living room.
When they sat back down, Sheldon did not let go of her hand. He looked over at her. "Is this okay?" He asked, unsure if he was doing the right thing.
"Uh, yeah. It's okay." She said, smiling at him.
They sat quietly watching a fifth episode of Doctor Who while Mary made dinner. When dinner was ready they took their plates back into the living room and watched some more. When it was over, Lucy looked at the clock. It was nearing 8:00.
"Oh wow, it's almost 8:00. I can't believe I've been here for six hours." Lucy said.
"Well shall we stop it here and continue again next week?" Sheldon asked.
"Yeah that sounds like fun. I guess I should be going then." Lucy said.
"Well since you walked here this afternoon and this is technically a date, I am going to walk you home."
"Sheldon I live five houses down." Lucy said.
"I am well aware but it is getting dark out. I don't want you walking by yourself. You never know what kind of hoodlums are out there. " He told her.
"In this neighborhood? I highly doubt there are any hoodlums." She said, laughing.
"Well regardless, I insist. Besides I want to walk you home." He said smiling at her.
"Okay then. I won't argue anymore. Shall we go?" She said.
"Let's go."
He took their plates into the kitchen and yelled up to his mom that he was taking Lucy home. Sheldon took her hand and they walked the five houses to her house. When they got there, Sheldon was unsure what to do. George told him he would know if he wanted to kiss her. He didn't think he was ready for that but he wanted to do something.
"I had a nice time." She said.
"Me too." He said. He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"I will see you tomorrow at cotillion." She said smiling.
"Yes you will." He said and walked away from her house smiling.
Okay I know Sheldon is OOC and would probably hate holding hands but he doesn't know what he is feeling so he is going with his gut plus he is taking advice from his brother. Also I know Lucy isn't quite as shy as she was in the show but I will have an explanation for that when we see her later in life. Will they ever actually kiss? Stay tuned.
Did you like that they both had Doctor Who in common? I had to go back and read the names of the doctors as I only know the rebooted version but I am aware Sheldon dressed as the 4th doctor in Amy's room. It made sense to use him as his favorite.
Reviews...I love them. Please review even if you hated what I did. I really like the feedback.
